St James firefighters praised for saving historic home
Published:Tuesday | December 22, 2020 | 12:12 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The call Brenda Isaac received recently is the kind many firefighters say no one wants to hear.
Isaac was in Atlanta, Georgia, when her Jamaican neighbour telephoned her about a blaze at her Highland House home in Montego Bay, St James, which was saved by the parish’s firefighters.
And although Isaac’s 17-acre property is renowned as one of Jamaica’s most elegant private homes, she said that her concern for staff who had been with her for more than 15 years trumped the potential devastation to a residence once owned by late lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II in the 1950s.
“I have endeavoured to keep them employed despite the decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she told The Gleaner.
Isaac, who for years operated a successful corporate meeting planner company with Fortune 500 firms among her clients, praised the firefighters for arriving at her home in record time. They contained the blaze in less than half an hour.
The homeowner felt compelled to despatch correspondence to fire commander Keneisha Vaccianna and his team for what he described as an amazing job.
“They were trained well, and their expeditious arrival was most impressive as my house is located on a very narrow road in a rural neighbourhood,” he said
Inspired by her letter, Vaccianna said the St James firefighters were humbled by the show of appreciation.
“Ms Isaac is exceptional. The extent of her gratitude has made the team feel more appreciated and recognised. It’s motivational,” said Vaccianna.
Isaac, who was born in Kentucky, USA, has been visiting Jamaica for more than 35 years. For the last two decades, she has lived between Jamaica and Georgia while operating her One Love Learning Foundation, which gives back to children in need. The foundation operates in Cape Town, South Africa, Jamaica, and Atlanta.
Isaac, She teaches organic gardening, permaculture and African drums and dance, recently received an ambassadorial honour from the Maroons in Accompong, where she serves both the school and the cultural community.